Here are the AP's top stories and promotable content. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan.
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Here are the AP's top stories and promotable content. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan.
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NATIONAL
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Utah governor restricts fireworks as largest US wildfire surges uncontained
SUMMARY: Utah's governor has restricted fireworks as the largest wildfire in the nation continues to grow. The Cottonwood Fire in southern Utah, which started Monday, has reached nearly 111 square miles and is zero percent contained. Dry, windy conditions are fueling wildfire growth across much of the western United States. The National Weather Service issued a rare extreme weather warning for Utah, urging preparation for rapid fire growth. Red flag warnings are also in effect for parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona. Authorities are urging caution as extreme fire conditions persist.
WORDS: 569 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 3:06 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSWesternWildfiresndLdWritethru/9604ee19a108b0a54051b04902f6b0a6/text___
Supreme Court's ruling to end protections for Haitian, Syrian immigrants could have broader impact
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court ’s decision allowing President Donald Trump's administration to end temporary legal protections for Haitian and Syrian immigrants may affect people from many other countries. Thursday´s decision directly applies to about 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians but may be a sign of what´s in store for nearly 1.3 million people from 17 countries on Temporary Protected Status. Many have lived and worked in the United States for decades and have American children. Aside from Haitians, large numbers of beneficiaries are from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine and Honduras.
WORDS: 904 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 10:52 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSImmigrationTPSWhattoKnow/14d4851b164093e4182e953ae5142edd/text___
California voters will consider a measure in November to raise taxes on billionaires
SUMMARY: Californians will vote in November on a controversial proposal to impose a one-time tax on billionaires to help fund federal funding cuts to healthcare for low-income people. A major labor union has announced it is moving forward with the proposal, despite staunch pushback from a wide swath of critics. That includes Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. Opponents of the measure say that it will push billionaires out of the state. That would be a problem because they contribute so much income tax revenue to California. The ballot fight could become one of the costliest in state history.
WORDS: 618 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 1:09 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCaliforniaBillionaireTaxstLdWritethru/9edd9fb1cb2e7f0717b5b1b620fd0e05/text___
Texas school board to vote on required Bible readings in public education
SUMMARY: The Texas board of education is set to vote on a required reading list for more than 5 million public school students that includes stories and passages from the Bible. Texas has been at the forefront of conservative efforts to incorporate religion into schools. The Republican-controlled Texas State Board of Education gave preliminary approval to the list this week and will vote on it Friday. Critics say the reading list lacks diversity, blurs the separation of church and state, and leaves teachers and students little room to decide what they want to read. Others welcome the inclusion of religious texts focused on Christianity in public schools.
WORDS: 759 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 4:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTexasCurriculumBible/eb6ea9e23e303da0ca2da6132889e020/text___
74-year-old man becomes oldest inmate executed in modern Florida history
SUMMARY: A 74-year-old man convicted of killing his wife has become the oldest person to be executed in modern Florida times. Authorities say Dusty Ray Spencer received a lethal injection Thursday evening for the 1992 stabbing death of his wife Karen. It was Florida's ninth execution this year. Florida Corrections records dating to 1924 show the oldest inmates last executed in Florida were both 72. One of them, Samuel Lee Smithers, was put to death last year for two killings in 1996 while the other, R. Charlie Gifford, was executed in 1951 for a state lawmaker’s shooting death. Another 74-year-old Florida inmate is set to be executed on July 14 for a woman's killing in 1982.
WORDS: 754 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 4:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSFloridaExecutionthLdWritethru/25bf0b98ffc4a25ebcaf1d2a408c6e82/text___
What to know about Harvey Weinstein's cases after a rape charge was dropped
SUMMARY: New York prosecutors have dropped a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein instead of trying it a fourth time. His accuser supported Thursday’s decision. It puts an end to one piece of a landmark #MeToo-era prosecution. But it doesn’t clear the former Hollywood honcho’s criminal record. He has been convicted of other sex crimes in two states. The 74-year-old still is behind bars while he appeals those verdicts.
WORDS: 538 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 10:11 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSexualMisconductHarveyWeinsteinThingstoKnow/ef55d33b5d80e423b56d7f897e00eb5e/text___
DEA asks watchdog to investigate claims that agents permitted fentanyl to hit the streets
SUMMARY: The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has asked the U.S. Justice Department’s internal watchdog to investigate a whistleblower’s claims that DEA agents permitted hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to hit the streets of New Mexico. The request Thursday came days after an Associated Press investigation found agents repeatedly monitored — but did not seize — major shipments of the synthetic opioid in a bid to build bigger criminal cases between 2023 and 2025.
WORDS: 606 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 7:28 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSDEAUnseizedFentanylstLdWritethru/88200e171fdf4d5fa103a791aa42952e/text___
Harvey Weinstein's New York rape charge dropped after accuser says she can't endure a fourth trial
SUMMARY: New York prosecutors have dropped a rape charge against Harvey Weinstein instead of trying the former movie mogul for a fourth time in the state. The decision was announced Thursday after his accuser said she could not endure testifying again. Weinstein already stands convicted of another sexual felony in New York and others in California, including raping an Italian actress in Los Angeles. But this rape charge had remained unresolved, after an overturned conviction followed by two hung juries. The Oscar-winning producer denies all the accusations.
WORDS: 782 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 2:34 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSexualMisconductWeinsteinthLdWritethru/07e4ae38d2623f5ca790b2382745c7ce/text___
Supreme Court clears way for Trump administration to revive restrictive policy for asylum seekers
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to potentially revive an immigration policy once used to turn back migrants seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. The justices overturned a lower court order on Thursday blocking the practice used by presidents of both parties. It limited the number of people who could apply for asylum each day during President Donald Trump’s first term. Advocates said the tactic created a humanitarian crisis as thousands of people settled in unsafe makeshift shelters to await their turn. The Trump administration said it was necessary to deal with an increase in asylum seekers at the border.
WORDS: 941 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 2:17 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSupremeCourtImmigrationAsylumthLdWritethru/d36d0092617c7115780c06de38e2000f/text___
Venezuelans in the US rush to send aid to earthquake victims, but Caracas airport is closed
SUMMARY: Venezuelan migrants living in the U.S. are rushing to send aid to family and friends stricken by devastating earthquakes in their home country. Local officials and advocates put out calls for donations Thursday in communities with large Venezuelan populations in states such as Florida, Texas and Utah. Oscar Torres moved to the U.S. from Venezuela in the 1990s and now lives in Doral, Florida, outside Miami. He said that soon after the earthquakes hit, groups on social media were organizing to gather donations of medicine and other essentials to send to Venezuela, where he has family. The U.S. government is dispatching a disaster response team to Venezuela while also providing $150 million to relief groups working there.
WORDS: 864 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 7:28 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSVenezuelaEarthquakeDonationEffortsrdLdWritethru/ebd85d82ef5af24419eb8a4c417b57dc/text___
Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention center has closed, governor says
SUMMARY: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced the closure of the temporary immigration center known as "Alligator Alcatraz." The center was built in the Florida swamps last year. DeSantis said Thursday that about 21,000 people were deported through the center. Federal officials say they no longer need the extra capacity to handle detention and deportation because they have more permanent facilities. Immigration advocates criticized the center for unsafe and inhumane conditions. Detainees reported issues like poor access to lawyers, unsanitary conditions and insect infestations.
WORDS: 593 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 4:05 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSFloridaImmigrationDetentionCenterthLdWritethru/3c371f51fe71ed64b7ae9d22d0fab5cb/text___
Staggering amounts of fentanyl hit streets as the DEA watched and took no action, records show
SUMMARY: According to current and former DEA agents and records reviewed by The Associated Press, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to hit the streets of New Mexico from 2023 to 2025. The tactic was intended to build larger cases against drug traffickers. But whistleblower David Howell says the DEA gambled with public safety and violated Justice Department rules intended to protect the public from the dangerous drug. Ridding the streets of illicit fentanyl became the DEA’s top priority over the past decade as overdose deaths surged.
WORDS: 1783 - MOVED: 06/22/2026 4:08 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSDEAUnseizedFentanylthLdWritethru/8f5b546e668e5007c64078da74b90903/text___
A rifle-toting war reporter died with Custer at Little Bighorn 150 years ago
SUMMARY: Thirty-eight journalists have died on the job while gathering news for The Associated Press over the years. Thursday marks the 150th anniversary of the very first: Mark Kellogg, one of five civilians killed alongside Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his men at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Kellogg was embedded with Custer’s troops. He was reporting for The Bismarck Tribune and New York Herald when Custer underestimated the size of a Sioux village that he attacked. Kellogg's body was found near where Custer and his outnumbered men made a last stand on a hill. News of Kellogg's death traveled widely after AP circulated the story.
WORDS: 594 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 4:03 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLittleBighornAnniversaryAPrdLdWritethru/70cc881b5fc59b950a62678d34873fab/text___
Native Americans commemorate victory at Little Bighorn with horse races, dance and song
SUMMARY: Native American tribes are marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Greasy Grass. Known to many as the Battle of Little Bighorn, it's an iconic symbol of resistance and resilience. Tribes came together that sweltering day in June 1876 to defeat Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and more than 200 of his troops, demonstrating strength and unity in the face of westward expansion. While Custer has long captured public imagination as a flamboyant officer and controversial commander, the battle carries deep meaning for Native Americans. They'll be marking the victory with songs, dances, horse races and a reenactment of the famous battle.
WORDS: 1199 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 4:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLittleBighornAnniversarythLdWritethru/3407c03935eccb382bf22852a52e7832/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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Billionaire Leon Black defends $158M paid to Epstein: 'I knew Jekyll. I didn't know Hyde'
SUMMARY: House lawmakers are questioning billionaire investor Leon Black as part of their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and the powerful people around him. Black denied any criminal wrongdoing in his opening statements and claims that he was deceived by Epstein. Black was formerly the chief executive of Apollo Global Management and paid Epstein $158 million from 2012 to 2017 for tax and estate planning services. That's according to a 2021 review commissioned by Apollo. Black stepped down from Apollo in 2021 amid fallout over his ties to Epstein. With his closed-door deposition on Friday morning, Black will become the latest high-profile figure to appear before the House Oversight Committee.
WORDS: 689 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 12:04 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCongressEpsteinndLdWritethru/2d369605ab3ea8d81d716f6c8e68b356/text___
Trump threatens 100% tax on European imports if countries impose tax on digital services
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump is threatening a 100% tax on imports from any country that imposes a tax on digital services from United States companies. In a post on social media Friday, Trump took aim at European countries that he said are discussing “imminent” implementation of taxes on American companies. He wrote, “Please let this statement serve to represent that any Country that imposes such a Tax will immediately be met with a 100% TARIFF on any and all Goods sent to the United States of America."
WORDS: 279 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 4:39 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpEuropeDigitalrdLdWritethru/d2007fee8ae733a15f240c5f83462c96/text___
Disagreements between Supreme Court justices bubble into public view as major rulings loom
SUMMARY: Tensions are evident in a rare display among the Supreme Court justices at the end of the term. On Thursday, conservative Justice Samuel Alito read a majority ruling limiting asylum claims at the southern border. Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor then read her dissent, highlighting the struggles of asylum seekers and referencing a historical tragedy involving Jewish refugees in 1939. Alito, surprised by her dissent, defended the majority's decision, emphasizing policy continuity across administrations. This exchange comes as the court prepares to release more significant opinions next week. Tensions have surfaced before, with Sotomayor previously apologizing to Justice Brett Kavanaugh for past remarks.
WORDS: 580 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 3:22 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSupremeCourtDisagreementsstLdWritethru/e956f6a00f05f1d5f21cf824909a6bf7/text___
Ex-national security adviser John Bolton pleads guilty to illegally retaining classified information
SUMMARY: Former national security adviser John Bolton is pleading guilty to illegally retaining classified information. Bolton pleaded guilty to a single count of illegally retaining classified information. His plea deal with federal prosecutors could help him avoid prison time. Bolton, a critic of President Donald Trump, faced 18 counts related to classified information, including sharing notes with relatives while writing a memoir. The investigation began before Trump’s second term. Bolton served in Trump’s first administration before being ousted in 2019. His book, “The Room Where it Happened,” was controversial for its portrayal of Trump.
WORDS: 689 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 2:29 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSJusticeDepartmentJohnBoltonndLdWritethru/e95c29e7f8659d8b4b01d44148ae1ab4/text___
Newsom urges a national 'billionaires' tax' while fighting one in California
SUMMARY: California Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling for a national “billionaires' tax” and suggests the U.S. government should own a stake in AI companies. He warns that urgent reform is needed to prevent wealth concentration from harming democracy. Newsom's proposal aligns him with the populist left as he considers a 2028 presidential run. He proposes a minimum tax on those with over $100 million in net worth and wants to prevent the wealthy from borrowing against stock portfolios tax-free. Newsom opposes a California measure taxing billionaires, arguing the issue should be addressed federally to prevent billionaires from leaving the state.
WORDS: 619 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 1:01 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionNewsom/ebb72ccf542ae5dc2f444d16000f307c/text___
Touring Trump's Washington: How the president is putting his imprint on the nation's capital
SUMMARY: America is celebrating its 250th anniversary, and the nation's capital is undergoing significant changes under President Donald Trump. He's altered buildings, started massive construction projects and deployed armed military personnel. The National Guard has been in the city since August 2025 as part of an emergency order to fight crime. The Department of Government Efficiency's cutbacks cost tens of thousands of workers their jobs. Trump's image is prominent on government buildings, symbolizing his influence. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been painted “American flag blue.” The White House is expanding, and Black Lives Matter Plaza has been removed.
WORDS: 1362 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 10:22 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSAmericaTrumpsWashingtonrdLdWritethru/7a01986959f79d0153c3225f43a375f3/text___
Reflecting Pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor, National Park Service says
SUMMARY: A top official at the National Park Service says a liner along the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor this month, causing damage to the foam sealant installed as part of a $16 million rehabilitation project. The park service reported the June 9 incident to U.S. Park Police. Frank Lands, deputy director of operations for the park service, said about 70 fence post tops also were thrown into the pool. Lands made the statements in a court document filed late Wednesday as part of a lawsuit filed by a nonprofit organization to halt the administration’s work on the project.
WORDS: 1082 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 4:18 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpReflectingPoolthLdWritethru/98e11bfcb5899753c79bf55698dc958f/text___
The Supreme Court lets the Trump administration end legal protections for Haitians and Syrians
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to end legal protections for migrants fleeing violence and natural disaster in Haiti and Syria, exposing hundreds of thousands more people to potential deportation. The decision Thursday blocks lower court orders and allows the Department of Homeland Security to swiftly end temporary protected status. That program protects a total of 1.3 million people from 17 countries. The administration had argued that Homeland Security can revoke protections without court interference. Immigration lawyers say the decision to end the program ignored the law and was tainted by racial animus.
WORDS: 862 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 2:30 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSupremeCourtTPSthLdWritethru/1bbbf8115f984a0d53336656924e989d/text___
Supreme Court strikes down Hawaii law requiring permission to carry guns in stores and hotels
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court has struck down a Hawaii law requiring people to get permission to carry guns into places such as stores and hotels. The Thursday decision is the high court's latest ruling backing Second Amendment rights. President Donald Trump's Republican administration opposed the law, arguing that Hawaii had violated gun rights by effectively banning them from a wide range of places generally open to the public. Hawaii, on the other hand, said the 2023 measure was aimed at protecting the rights of property owners. The decision doesn't stop businesses from taking their own steps to ban guns on their property.
WORDS: 528 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 2:11 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSupremeCourtHawaiiGunsthLdWritethru/c5dbdf945bc870f70a03455f5eb1dec7/text___
Federal judge halts Trump’s election executive order seeking to create a federal voter list
SUMMARY: A federal judge has halted President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to create a federal voter list and limit who can receive a mail ballot. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani on Thursday sided with a coalition of nearly two dozen states that challenged the Republican president’s order. Her ruling applies to this year's midterm election cycle. Plaintiffs argued in two lawsuits filed in the same court that Trump’s order should be found unconstitutional because the states and Congress, not the president, have the power to set election rules. The White House stood by Trump’s executive order and indicated the administration would appeal the ruling.
WORDS: 1077 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 3:23 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpElectionsndLdWritethru/b28c3425c1dc968cd0f57c61fb7a684e/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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Trump blames Iran for a drone strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has blamed Iran for carrying out a drone strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a “foolish violation” of the ceasefire agreement with the U.S. Trump said one drone hit the upper deck of the ship and the “damage was done,” but the ship was able to proceed. He added that the U.S. shot down three other drones. His post on social media did not identify the ship or the time of the strike, but on Thursday the British military said a vessel was hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman.
WORDS: 409 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 1:25 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSthLdWritethru/8c1a77eb82d25f00de814958114c7296/text___
Venezuelans hope online posts will bring news of missing after devastating earthquakes
SUMMARY: People in Venezuela and abroad are desperately searching for loved ones after two powerful earthquakes struck Wednesday evening. The 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude quakes caused widespread damage and were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century. Hundreds have been killed and thousands injured. Thousands are without cell service. Social media and online registries have become crucial for finding missing persons, with independent registries reporting up to 40,000 missing. The United Nations has urged Venezuela to lift social media restrictions to aid the search. Many Venezuelans abroad are struggling to get information about their families.
WORDS: 755 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 7:18 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTVenezuelaEarthquakeMissingndLdWritethru/ac6117e7a9ad3095d50e3535e991df12/text___
Tallest building in Beijing is damaged after small airplane reportedly crashed into it
SUMMARY: Beijing’s tallest building showed signs of damage on Friday as images and videos circulating on social media appeared to show debris from an aircraft near the building. Heavy police presence, as well as fire engines and ambulances were seen outside the CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, in Beijing’s Central Business District. The cause of the damage could not be independently verified, and authorities did not immediately issue a statement on the incident.
WORDS: 144 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 2:11 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASChinaTowerDamage/9c95676d875fbb0906a9dd893e14c3f5/text___
Ukraine unleashes one of its heaviest drone bombardments of Russia
SUMMARY: The Defense Ministry in Moscow says Ukraine launched a major nighttime drone attack on Russian regions, Crimea, and surrounding seas. It is one of Kyiv's biggest assaults since the Kremlin's invasion over four years ago. Russian air defenses intercepted 660 Ukrainian drones. Ukrainian long-range drones have been targeting oil and energy facilities, disrupting Russian fuel supplies and military deliveries. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy hinted at a "40-day influence operation" to compel Russia to end the war. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine's Kharkiv region killed three civilians and wounded 20 others, according to Ukrainian officials.
WORDS: 768 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 7:09 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarthLdWritethru/a356e2a119f3cb9422ede6acbedf56f3/text___
AP Exclusive: NATO deputy commander wants Turkey summit to spur more defense spending and show unity
SUMMARY: NATO's deputy commander said he wants a summit in Turkey to encourage member countries to spend more on defense and support Ukraine. Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer says the meeting will test the alliance's unity. U.S. President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals about U.S. forces in Europe, causing concern among European leaders. The summit, scheduled for July 7-8, will discuss increasing military production, including artillery shells. European nations are investing in credible forces to counter Russia. The outcome of a U.S. review of forces in Europe will impact how quickly Europeans must take responsibility for their own security.
WORDS: 1110 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 5:08 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUNATOSummitInterviewthLdWritethru/3294611611a4691e26b27ce65712c67d/text___
Australia plans to strengthen laws banning children from social media
SUMMARY: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government is giving priority to strengthening the world's first laws that ban children younger than 16 from social media platforms. Observers said on Friday the government is responding to evidence that the ban on young children holding accounts on platforms including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube had failed since it came into force in December year. Albanese told Parliament on Thursday this government is considering options to strengthen the ban. He said: “We’re working on that as a priority because this is something that other generations didn’t have to deal with."
WORDS: 571 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 7:35 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASAustraliaSocialMediandLdWritethru/5087482f61cd948afc4f148f88d0e4c7/text___
Greece bets on space technology to contain wildfires
SUMMARY: As Greece braces for another blistering wildfire season, a new line of defense is taking shape in Earth’s orbit. A group of suitcase-sized satellites will alert the first signs of fire, a pioneering system that could save lives, protect communities and advance Europe’s drive for technological independence. Planners across Europe envision applying an emerging satellite architecture far beyond fire detection. Future systems are likely to support border surveillance, heat-wave planning and defense on a continent rattled by Russia’s war in Ukraine and strained trans-Atlantic ties.
WORDS: 822 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 4:42 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUGreeceWildfiresSatellitesndLdWritethru/8fe0df5f61f336ef59403f189a5a29de/text___
Neighbors dig through Venezuela rubble to search for loved ones after 2 deadly earthquakes
SUMMARY: In cities across northern Venezuela, neighbors were helping each other dig through the rubble from back-to-back earthquakes. Officials say the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that hit Wednesday evening killed around 235 people and left thousands injured. The quakes were among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century and could be felt throughout the region. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez says authorities are shifting rescue teams from other parts of the country to La Guaira, north of the capital Caracas. The natural disaster is the latest challenge for Rodríguez, who took office in January after the U.S. seized then-president Nicolas Maduro in a surprise military operation.
WORDS: 1098 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 4:29 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTVenezuelaEarthquakendLdWritethru/b07aff1cb886cfe616a0e89b3687b8b8/text___
What to know about earthquake early warning systems
SUMMARY: Many countries have systems to alert people seconds before shaking begins in an earthquake. Experts say even a slight warning provides critical time for protection. Several countries, including the U.S., Mexico, and Japan, have Early Earthquake Warning systems. These systems use sensors and cellphones to detect seismic activity and send alerts to affected regions. Even in countries like Venezuela that do not have such systems, Google Android Earthquake Alerts can send important warnings to give people time to protect themselves.
WORDS: 1090 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 7:44 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSEarthquakeWarningSystemsWhattoKnowstLdWritethru/753714b55a8d8fd7424658717114b1f5/text___
Things to know about the Venezuela earthquakes
SUMMARY: A rare double earthquake ravaged Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 188 people and leaving more than 200 trapped. Many more are feared dead. Thousands of people have been reported missing and about 1,500 people have been injured. Some of the heaviest damage and casualties were in La Guaira, a coastal region north of the capital, Caracas. The powerful 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes struck 39 seconds apart along the San Sebastian fault on Venezuela’s northern coast, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
WORDS: 668 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 8:52 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTVenezuelaEarthquakeThingstoKnow/187d64e541983800b16f063ca5a8392c/text___
Leaders and celebrities react after powerful quakes hit Venezuela
SUMMARY: World leaders and Venezuela related celebrities are reacting with offers and solidarity after two powerful earthquakes shook the South American nation on Wednesday, killing at least 164 people, injuring more than 1,000 and trapping many beneath collapsed buildings. Wednesday evening’s 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century and could be felt throughout the region.
WORDS: 829 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 2:32 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTVenezuelaEarthquakeReactionthLdWritethru/9fc460e4ae53958e803aa5333f646c10/text___
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BUSINESS
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Most of Wall Street rises, but sinking AI stocks keep it on track for a losing week
SUMMARY: Most of the U.S. stock market is rising after oil prices eased back to where they were before the war with Iran, but drops for AI stocks are keeping the market in check. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% Friday after recovering from an early loss of 0.9%. The index at the heart of many 401(k) accounts is still on track for its second losing week in the last 13, largely because of drops for AI stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 194 points, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.5%. Treasury yields eased with the fall in oil prices.
WORDS: 857 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 4:32 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/e356760ec69cab916e53a9804336b845/text___
Key inflation gauge jumps to 3-year high in latest sign of affordability challenges
SUMMARY: The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose to a new three-year high in May as gas prices peaked, a sign rising costs could pose political problems for President Trump as midterm elections near. The increase was largely driven by more expensive gas, as well as pricier semiconductors and other computer equipment that are in high demand for the AI buildout. Rising prices have caused the inflation-fighters at the Federal Reserve to keep their key rate unchanged this year, a reversal from January when they had penciled in two cuts. Some economists forecast the central bank could lift rates this year instead.
WORDS: 821 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 12:41 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSConsumerSpendingthLdWritethru/d9348cc01b41c8de31051acf1b39268f/text___
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CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT
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Europe's extreme heat would be impossible without climate change, scientists say
SUMMARY: The record-breaking heat that’s scorching Europe day and night this month would not have been possible without climate change, according to a new study. The World Weather Attribution rapid study released Friday found that the heat would have been virtually impossible just five decades ago, and is 200 times more likely than 20 years ago. Millions in France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe, are experiencing extreme temperatures and humidity this week associated with a heat dome. Daytime temperatures have topped 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 Celsius) in many places, while high nighttime temperatures have also made it harder to cool down and recover.
WORDS: 852 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 4:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APClimateEuropeHeatStudystLdWritethru/8633dbe64319523484c8feabf2205234/text___
Supreme Court ruling blocks thousands of lawsuits against the maker of Roundup weedkiller
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court has sided with the maker of Roundup weedkiller, blocking thousands of lawsuits alleging it failed to warn users the product could cause cancer. The decision on Thursday is a victory for the Trump administration but could complicate relations with allies who want to limit pesticide use. The court ruled that federal regulations finding a cancer link unlikely protect the company from state lawsuits. Roundup manufacturer Bayer disputes the cancer claims but has set aside billions of dollars to settle cases. Bayer says the ruling is good for science and farmers. Lawyers for some residents pursuing cases say the ruling “wrongly slams the courthouse door on Americans sickened by pesticides.”
WORDS: 987 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 2:08 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSupremeCourtPesticidesLiabilitythLdWritethru/a7f054d80919f98bdfc5190013a8f6f1/text___
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RELIGION
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Massive Shiite crowds mark Ashoura amid fresh Iran-Israel-US war fallout
SUMMARY: Shiite Muslims have marked Ashoura, a significant day on their calendar, with large gatherings in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and other parts of the world. The annual commemoration remembers the seventh-century killing of Hussein, the grandson of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad. Ashoura is the culmination of a 10-day mourning period. This year, it follows a war involving predominantly Shiite Iran, the United States and Israel. Large crowds gathered in Karbala, Iraq, where Hussein is buried. In Lebanon, mourners gathered amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The day holds deep religious and historical resonance for Shiites, shaping their identity.
WORDS: 702 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 9:20 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLAshourandLdWritethru/ba4abf96942c9701065b4f50a9cd804c/text___
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Heat catches Europe’s fashion industry unprepared as models face the sun in fur and wool
SUMMARY: Paris Fashion Week Men’s became a test of fashion’s relationship with heat. A historic heat wave pushed houses to move shows earlier, hand out ice packs, cold towels, parasols and water, and build runways around waves, fog and mist. But the spring-summer collections often told a different story, sending models out in leather, neoprene, wool coats and layers. Dior and Rick Owens shifted show times, Louis Vuitton staged a giant wave, Saint Laurent used fog, and Issey Miyake offered one of the week’s more breathable answers. The heat also fed a wider French debate over air conditioning and raised a sharper question: whether fashion week itself can function in summers that are growing hotter.
WORDS: 943 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 5:06 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUFranceFashionHotParisFashionrdLdWritethru/477cc612de15b96390a7903ccd6c97ba/text___
David Clayton-Thomas, powerhouse lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, dies at 84
SUMMARY: David Clayton-Thomas, the lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears whose husky, high-strung tenor on “Spinning Wheel,” “And When I Die” and other hits helped make the so-called brass rock band among the most popular acts of the late 1960s, has died at age 84. He was a stocky, onetime street fighter and petty thief in Canada who briefly became a rock superstar, the front man of a nine-member group that sold millions of records and won two Grammys for its self-titled second album. Backed by horns, keyboards and percussion, his urgent shout was a signature voice of the era. A spokesman says Clayton-Thomas died Wednesday in Toronto.
WORDS: 1099 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 4:56 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTObitDavidClaytonThomasthLdWritethru/62acd793a277ff981d1635b80ed230b4/text___
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SPORTS
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Last-place Mets fire manager Carlos Mendoza. Owner Steve Cohen says 'fans deserve better'
SUMMARY: Carlos Mendoza was has been fired as manager of the underperforming New York Mets and has been replaced by Andy Green. New York is 34-47 following a six-game losing streak, 15 games behind NL East-leading Atlanta and 9 1/2 games back of the NL’s last wild-card berth. Mets owner Steve Cohen had high expectations for a team without a World Series title since 1986. The team opened the season with baseball’s highest payroll at $358 million and projected to [pay an additional $124 million in luxury tax.
WORDS: 562 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 1:36 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APBBOMetsMendozardLdWritethru/6cf52ffb9e81030b33d4b4acf8244481/text___
Ecuador advances to World Cup knockout rounds, beats Germany 2-1 on Plata's 77th-minute goal
SUMMARY: Gonzalo Plata poked the ball past Manuel Neuer in the 77th minute and Ecuador advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup by rallying for a 2-1 win over Germany. The Germans, who clinched first place in Group E with victories in their first two games, went ahead on Leroy Sané’s second-minute goal. Nilson Angulo scored Ecuador’s first goal of the tournament in the ninth minute. Plata scored after a corner kick was nodded on by Kevin Rodríguez. Ecuador finished third in the group with four points and advanced past the group stage for the second time.
WORDS: 716 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 9:58 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APSOCWCupEcuadorGermanythLdWritethru/a76afaec09bf5ff96e216265c2e18bc1/text___
Hornets trade LaMelo Ball, Josh Green to Timberwolves for Naz Reid, draft picks, AP source says
SUMMARY: A person familiar with the situation says the Charlotte Hornets have agreed to trade point guard LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round draft pick, three first-round pick swaps and three future second-round picks. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal has yet to be approved by the league. ESPN was first to report the trade. The three first-round pick swaps will be in 2028, 2029 and 2030. The Hornets also will get three second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033. Charlotte also agreed to a three-year, $74 million contract with point guard Coby White to replace Ball. White, who backed up Ball last year, was set to become an unrestricted free agent.
WORDS: 1081 - MOVED: 06/25/2026 2:07 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APBKNTimberwolvesHornetsTraderdLdWritethru/2418e7e9c9e10abff00361da67322bea/text___
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